How do you use a Russian spindle?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/10/2010 - 11:08

I found what was described as an old European spindle on Ebay a while back - it arrived from somewhere in Bulgaria, and looks very similar to a Russian Lace spindle. I'm slowly getting the hang of it, but are there any little tricks I should know that will help keep it under control so my spinning can be consistent?

It has a tiny lip around the top to catch the yarn, but I have to use a half hitch to keep the yarn on the tip.

I have seen the videos on Youtube, but they are not so clear. I have used supported spindles and can generally spin straight off the tip and keep the spindle turning with no problems, but this one has me beat - for the moment, ;-)!

Caroline

Comments

Submitted by sgt_majorette (not verified) on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 23:46

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Orenburg lace workers use these spindles supported, so you would spin off the tip, no half-hitch. Everybody else uses that kind of spindle dangling in the fingers sort of like with the French/Portuguese type of spindle with the spiral notch called a "fuseau". If it doesn't spin that well supported, and it isn't warped, you can try sharpening the point to make it spin better in the bowl. If you don't want to mess with it, twist it in your fingers. And if you decide you HATE it, well, all things Bulgarian are welcome in my house! --jayne

Submitted by Caroline (not verified) on Sun, 08/22/2010 - 08:40

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Hi Jayne, You so reckon, hehe? Actually I love it, I just have to learn how to use it a bit more efficiently.

But since you seem to be an expert on these things, I was at a fleece and fibre show near to me in the Adelaide hills, and a local spindle maker had a Russian Spindle and matching bowl that needed to come home with me. Now this is the same shape as all the ones I have seen on the internet, however I feel its rather too thick at the business end, there isn't really a tip at all, its just a bit thinner than further down, if you know what I mean. There is certainly no means of holding the yarn with a tip or anything so I have been contemplating taking the sanding paper to it. I had to modify the last spindle I purchased from him, he's no spinner so is not as conscious as we are to all the nuances of our spindles. How fine do you reckon the tip should be? Should it have a lip to catch the yarn around? The Bulgarian spindle is positively dainty beside this one. It might be time for me to learn how to use a lathe.

Caroline

Submitted by claudia (not verified) on Sun, 08/22/2010 - 13:11

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Caroline,

Can you post a photo or two so we can see what your new acquisition looks like?  It sounds really interesting, I am always fascinated by spindles that rest in bowls.

Claudia

Submitted by sgt_majorette (not verified) on Thu, 08/26/2010 - 21:56

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026 Here are some Russian spindles from my collection. The second and third from the left are the most authentic. --jayne

Submitted by ruthmacgregor (not verified) on Mon, 08/30/2010 - 13:26

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Caroline, that Bulgarian spindle looks very interesting!  The shape is a lot like the old French spindles we see around here, but yours has that tiny knob at the top of the shaft, and the French ones don't (they usually have a spiral groove instead).  The knob makes me think your spindle would be happy working with a half hitch at the top, whether you actually suspend it or not.

Wonderful spindle!

Ruth

Submitted by sgt_majorette (not verified) on Sat, 09/04/2010 - 14:39

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Yeah, sure does look like it wants a half hitch, and to be used dangling and not supported. So I wouldn't mess with the point either. Only Orenburg lace workers use that type of spindle supported, as far as I can tell. Bulgarian spinners will mock you without mercy if they see you using support...